Urn Materials Overview

Today cremation urns are available in an endless array of shapes, styles, colors and sizes. We offer urns made from many different materials including bronze, brass, stainless steel, crystal, blown glass, ceramic, wood, marble and composite materials (ex. cultured marble, resins, etc.). Brief descriptions and general benefits of some of the more popular urn materials we offer are below.

Brass Urns

Brass cremation urns are some of the most popular urns used in the US and for good reason. Manufacturers have produced literally hundreds of reasonably priced designs, colors and sizes to choose from and that explains why we offer such are large selection of brass urns.

Brass is a popular metal choice for urn fabrication because it is strong, malleable and relatively resistant to tarnishing. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc however the proportions of copper and zinc are varied to create brasses with different properties.

The casting of any metal alloy, including brass urns, creates dust and ash which are natural and expected byproducts of the fabrication and burn out process. Small amounts of grey dust will be visible in a new metal urn but rest assured that this dust is a result of the manufacturing process.

Some benefits of brass urns: Strong, Will last for generations, Does not tarnish, Relatively maintenance free, Not expensive, Many choices.

Most brass is a bronze, yellow or gold color but it can be enameled and finished different ways and in different colors.

Cloisonné Cremation Urns

Cloisonné products, whether urns, vases or timeless works of art, refers to the material, creation process and overall style of the piece. Structurally, cloisonné urns are usually made of brass or copper (see brass urns on this page).

An artist forms metal into the shape of the urn. A design pattern is transfered on to the urn. Metal partitions (the fine gold lines usually gold in color), act as color-separators and are applied according to the transferred pattern.

Frit (colored glass crushed to a powder acting as an enamel) in a water-based paste is painted into the partitions. After the frit has dried, firing in an oven melts it onto the metal. Several repetitions of the process may ensue to build up the coatings to the height of the partitions. Various colors and transparencies may be used in combination within a single partition to obtain the desired artistic effect.

The glass and a portion of the partitions are ground and polished to form an even and smooth surface.

The exposed metal of the partitions is electroplated with a thin film of gold or brass to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.

The end result is a unique, sturdy urn that will last generations and generations.

Some benefits of cloisonné urns: Strong, usually colorful, Will last for generations, Do not tarnish, maintenance free, Many sizes ranging from keepsake to full size adult.

Most cloisonné urns will be round, very colorful and have a floral patter of some sort.

Bronze Urns article coming soon

Steel Urns article coming soon

Glass and Crystal Urns article coming soon

Natural Stone and Marble Urns article coming soon

Wood Urns article coming soon

Biodegradable Urns article coming soon

Composite Material Urns article coming soon

Cast Stone Memorials article coming soon